overthrow
verb
over·throw
ˌō-vər-ˈthrō 
overthrew
ˌō-vər-ˈthrü
; overthrown
ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn
; overthrowing
; overthrown
ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn
; overthrowing
2
: to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat
3
: to throw a ball over or past (something or someone, such as a base or a receiver)
Examples of overthrow in a Sentence
The quarterback overthrew his receiver.
Recent Examples on the Web
Qaddafi was later overthrown and slain in a 2011 rebellion backed by NATO.
—
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
In 1984, five years after the Shah of Iran was overthrown, her parents moved with her to Germany.
—Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
In fact, back then heads did roll, including the head of King Charles I in 1649 when he was overthrown and executed following a civil war led by Oliver Cromwell.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Back in 1985, Atwood published her best-selling novel of the same name, a near-future dystopian tale about a totalitarian regime, the Republic of Gilead, overthrowing the U.S. government and stripping women of their rights amid a global fertility crisis.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overthrow
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Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
In 1984, five years after the Shah of Iran was overthrown, her parents moved with her to Germany.
—Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
In fact, back then heads did roll, including the head of King Charles I in 1649 when he was overthrown and executed following a civil war led by Oliver Cromwell.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025
Back in 1985, Atwood published her best-selling novel of the same name, a near-future dystopian tale about a totalitarian regime, the Republic of Gilead, overthrowing the U.S. government and stripping women of their rights amid a global fertility crisis.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overthrow
Cite this Entry
“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthrow. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overthrow
verb
over·throw
-ˈthrō
1
: overturn sense 1, upset
lawn chairs overthrown by the gale
2
: defeat entry 1, destroy
a government overthrown by rebels
3
: to throw a ball over or past
overthrew second base
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